Your perception of America

#28
#28
Rasputin_Vol said:
Do you feel there is a ceiling for you?
I've been fortunate in many ways. Part of that is how I was raised and part of it is the luck of the draw. Looking at where my life is right now, I cannot honestly say that racism has held me back personally. However, you mention a ceiling, meaning a limitation of how far you can go. I guess in my mind, I think racism clearly affects how far you have to start off and how far you have to go. Meaning that being black has a floor that is lower than many other groups.


What experiences have you dealt with that you believe a white person would not have? Either positive or negative.
With me, it is walking the tightrope in life of trying to overcome the usual stereotypes when out and about on one hand, but also trying to remain "black" when around my own people... meaning being criticized for acting white or not being black enough in terms of how I think.

I think white people can just be themselves a lot easier.


How do you feel the country has changed for you in the past decades? Positive or negative.
The country has changed for the worst for everyone. The family has deteriorated, morals are gone, we've become more concerned with narcissism and consumerism, we are a violent and warhawkish country, and thanks to COVID and now these riots, I now see that there are far too many people that are willing to sacrifice freedoms for safety and security.


What changes do you think need to happen to bring both races together?
The only thing that could do it, which I think at this point is unrealistic, is if blacks and whites were able to come together and see that there are powerful entities that desire to have us at each others throats. These people need a race war, and an economic war, and maybe even a hot war. I've said it before that the black community was the lab rat. They perfected their craft and science on how to destroy us in the 1960's and they now are using that science to destroy the rest of America. Keep in mind that no one really cared about the war on drugs destroying the black community in the 80s and 90s. Now there is an opioid pandemic in white America today. No one cared in the 1960s when Daniel Patrick Moynihan was warning us at the time of the dangers of the black community having an out of wedlock birth rate of 25% at the time. Now that rate is at over 70% today in the black community. Today, the white community is standing at 25% out of wedlock birth rate. In 2 more decades, the white community will be in the same level of deterioration as the black community was in the 80s and the 90s... or worse. That clock could speed up, however based on what I've seen over the last week or so at these riots. 5-10 years ago, you wouldn't have seen as many white kids in these types of riots. What has happened? Either the white kids feel they have no voice or they feel that they have nothing to lose.
Click to expand...

You get a LOT more ____ here than you deserve. I always enjoy your input. Thank you for that, as well as the above, thoughtful (and I believe) fair response.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StarRaider, marcusluvsvols, theFallGuy and 2 others
#37
#37
Rasputin_Vol said:
Do you feel there is a ceiling for you?
I've been fortunate in many ways. Part of that is how I was raised and part of it is the luck of the draw. Looking at where my life is right now, I cannot honestly say that racism has held me back personally. However, you mention a ceiling, meaning a limitation of how far you can go. I guess in my mind, I think racism clearly affects how far you have to start off and how far you have to go. Meaning that being black has a floor that is lower than many other groups.


What experiences have you dealt with that you believe a white person would not have? Either positive or negative.
With me, it is walking the tightrope in life of trying to overcome the usual stereotypes when out and about on one hand, but also trying to remain "black" when around my own people... meaning being criticized for acting white or not being black enough in terms of how I think.

I think white people can just be themselves a lot easier.


How do you feel the country has changed for you in the past decades? Positive or negative.
The country has changed for the worst for everyone. The family has deteriorated, morals are gone, we've become more concerned with narcissism and consumerism, we are a violent and warhawkish country, and thanks to COVID and now these riots, I now see that there are far too many people that are willing to sacrifice freedoms for safety and security.


What changes do you think need to happen to bring both races together?
The only thing that could do it, which I think at this point is unrealistic, is if blacks and whites were able to come together and see that there are powerful entities that desire to have us at each others throats. These people need a race war, and an economic war, and maybe even a hot war. I've said it before that the black community was the lab rat. They perfected their craft and science on how to destroy us in the 1960's and they now are using that science to destroy the rest of America. Keep in mind that no one really cared about the war on drugs destroying the black community in the 80s and 90s. Now there is an opioid pandemic in white America today. No one cared in the 1960s when Daniel Patrick Moynihan was warning us at the time of the dangers of the black community having an out of wedlock birth rate of 25% at the time. Now that rate is at over 70% today in the black community. Today, the white community is standing at 25% out of wedlock birth rate. In 2 more decades, the white community will be in the same level of deterioration as the black community was in the 80s and the 90s... or worse. That clock could speed up, however based on what I've seen over the last week or so at these riots. 5-10 years ago, you wouldn't have seen as many white kids in these types of riots. What has happened? Either the white kids feel they have no voice or they feel that they have nothing to lose.
Click to expand...


Interesting and leads me back to a perception I've had for some time about cops. They often aren't racist; they are classiest.

They perceive lower income people to be the source of crime or trouble calls. Its the same neighborhoods, the same houses, the same people, on 80 percent of their calls.

Over time, they perceive lower class people as requiring a more aggressive approach to deal with. Pull over an upper middle class person and they treat cops with respect. Lower income people argue, cause hassles, etc.

The economic reality is that minority communities tend to fall into that group that creates problems. Does that cause cops to correlate the two? Sure. But by and large in my experience dealing with their cases they think in terms of class much more than race.

So elevate class status for minority communities, I think you see a direct result in lesser aggression towards them.

JMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyvol77, marcusluvsvols, McDad and 5 others
#38
#38
TennesseeFan07 said:
Propaganda.

The social media era has made as all more dumb. We need to start thinking for ourselves. Until then, we will just treat the media as gospel and continue to be divided.
Click to expand...

True story. I was talking to a biracial friend today. Mom is white and dad is black. My friend said her mom read a facebook posting from one of her daughter's friends who happens to be black and said today she realized for the first time in her life that she is a racist. Granted she has a black husband and is retired. Social media.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyvol77, StarRaider, tennvols77 and 2 others
#39
#39
I don't want to derail the thread but the earlier comment about the media (press) just being about clicks and profits sounds like a familiar argument (healthcare/insurance). If the profit motive corrupts then something as vital as the press should be relegated to not-for-profit and highly regulated.
 
#41
#41
volinbham said:
I don't want to derail the thread but the earlier comment about the media (press) just being about clicks and profits sounds like a familiar argument (healthcare/insurance). If the profit motive corrupts then something as vital as the press should be relegated to not-for-profit and highly regulated.
Click to expand...
I don’t think it is strictly about clicks and profits..... I truly believe that what cnn slipped up and said the other day is the truth..... They feel they are in charge of controlling the message and how they want people to think.
 
#42
#42
I think that we get stuck in the weeds of the process. My perception is that the overwhelming majority of Americans agree that ending racism and police brutality are worthy goals. But we have been pitted against each other into a “my way or the highway, either/or” mentality. We have the spotlight shined so brightly on the “how” that we forget the “why.” Someone with a common goal, but a different path, becomes the enemy. And because of that mentality, we rarely take even a minor step forward. Compromise means “to settle a dispute by mutual concession.” Unfortunately we have been conditioned to believe that any concession is a failure, despite it actually being a productive step toward realizing our mutual goal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BreatheUT, marcusluvsvols, LouderVol and 1 other person
#43
#43
lawgator1 said:
Interesting and leads me back to a perception I've had for some time about cops. They often aren't racist; they are classiest.

They perceive lower income people to be the source of crime or trouble calls. Its the same neighborhoods, the same houses, the same people, on 80 percent of their calls.

Over time, they perceive lower class people as requiring a more aggressive approach to deal with. Pull over an upper middle class person and they treat cops with respect. Lower income people argue, cause hassles, etc.

The economic reality is that minority communities tend to fall into that group that creates problems. Does that cause cops to correlate the two? Sure. But by and large in my experience dealing with their cases they think in terms of class much more than race.

So elevate class status for minority communities, I think you see a direct result in lesser aggression towards them.

JMO.
Click to expand...
Generally agree. I'll bicker about using class because we don't have a class system in America.

I grew up around white trash. It's the trash people of all colors who I think of relative to your post. Trash is affiliated with poor economic circumstances. But for me, it is more a characteristic of chronic poor judgment and decision making.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyvol77, marcusluvsvols and tennvols77
#44
#44
McDad said:
Generally agree. I'll bicker about using class because we don't have a class system in America.

I grew up around white trash. It's the trash people of all colors who I think of relative to your post. Trash is affiliated with poor economic circumstances. But for me, it is more a characteristic of chronic poor judgment and decision making.
Click to expand...

Uh huh.......

But, I will say, when you have no real hope, it's easier to be lenient with your ethics as you really don't care. I've hung out with kids, heck men that were real gang bangers growing up, and some interesting characters early manhood during college and grad school, bikers (guy I worked with was sergeant at arms), and tough and tumble scary people. Good to drink a beer at the bar with, but, not the savory types of people I would be spending time with after grad school.

All usually (some had good shot at good life just bad decisions) had it rough growing up, exposed to things no young kid should, and they were just hopeless and stuck in the rut of their lives.

But, all had the common theme of basically being done with any future by or before their 18th birthday's that was for sure, and they always were into something and being dumb, and worst, getting caught.
 
  • Like
Reactions: McDad
#45
#45
Props to Rasputins post to the questions and further comments. Whether a person is white or black does not affect an upbringing that obviously has put his values where they are, regardless of some personal experiences. It is apparent he gets it is about the person and not the skin.

I was raised in a decent sized town 40 miles south of Atlanta. Highschool was about 60/40 black for perspective. As a child we regularly worshipped in church with blacks/black kids. Our church was on one of the "dividing" streets in town. Out the front parking lost was Whiteville. Out the backside was Blackville. My dad and others would make the rounds and pick some of the kids up for church. I knew one and his brother and a few other from 5 years old, before we started to school together. We learned other things in bible class before we knew about skin color. I have not seen the one since high school that I can recall other than a HS reunion. Yet, to this day we consider ourselves very close friends because of our connections back to bible class as pre-schoolers. He is a very fine, faith rooted individual with great relationships to all around him and from the past in HS. regardless of color. We communicated about this the other day. He cares not that I'm white, nor I him for being black. We weren't reared to see color. He's just one example of others like that in my life. One of the greatest role models in my life since 6th grade is a black man that has been preaching and teaching in ATL inner cities his entire adult life after college. Met him when a college summer door knocking campaign came to our church one summer, and been friends ever since. He is a very rare man like no other. Few compare to him, although he is far to humble to accept that kind of compliment. He raised his kids in the same manner, and they are all exemplary. Sadly, over the years he has experienced things.

Couple of point in this story:

Does racism exist? Yes.

Does racism exist the way the media and left want you to believe? Based on my relationships, No. I think people have allowed themselves to accept what has been shoved down our throats. I'm not naïve to what does exist. But, I'm not on the racism train either.

Does racism flow black to white as well? Absolutely. May not be right, but it's natural and human tendency.

I believe the majority of America doesn't care. I believe people are leery of others that are different. Sure a white in certain areas of downtowns will be scared of blacks. It's different and unknown to many. Same if a black is out in the burbs. And I have been in some areas and been fine, although that sometimes cam with having a black along with me cause they said I was stupid if they thought I was going to a particular area alone. Trust of seeing me in there was the main issue more so than just being white. Even in the town I grew up in, I took a guy home from work one night that worked for me in the mills. He needed a ride. He was on that side of town and it was after midnight. Getting out, he said it was cool, they saw me come in with him and just head right back out and you're good. I think the reason I have never personally experienced a true situation is that I don't react to people based on color. That first meeting you have with a person of opposite color is all about how you view, and speak to that person. Bad reactions usually stem form bad impressions, and people are keen to body poster, voice, and such.

My root belief about color is this...If you have to say you have "black friends" (or white) to prove you have friends that are different than you then you need to self reflect. If your values are in the right place all your friends, acquaintances, and relationships should be just that, without acknowledgement of color. These two individuals have never crossed my mind as "black friends."

Things I have heard over the years, even among some of my white friends..."She's pretty for a black girl." That one always gets me. God made pretty in all different colors. You may not date each other, but pretty is pretty. "He's alright for a black guy." Seriously? Would my two friends in my story have been better men if they weren't black ?!

The best ting that can happen for racial tension is to back off MSM and Social Media Platforms and get back to the business of knowing people and fostering relationships. Folks ain't so bad if you get to know them. I've even had "thugs" be cool with me back in the day. It just all boils down to how you carry yourself. Is that a solves all end all approach. Probably not, but it will improve your experiences and changes your views a bit.

As to the post right above this one, a prime example of sometimes things are what they are with peoples place in life, but also an example of being able to exist with others that are different without real issue. The most basic instinct of people whether "trash", "rough and tumble", or whatever descriptor you want to insert, is that most times they just want to be treated as a person, and if you start off that way, you might find it won't be a bad experience. It may not change their life all that much, but they'll respect it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: McDad and tennvols77
#47
#47
McDad said:
Generally agree. I'll bicker about using class because we don't have a class system in America.

I grew up around white trash. It's the trash people of all colors who I think of relative to your post. Trash is affiliated with poor economic circumstances. But for me, it is more a characteristic of chronic poor judgment and decision making.
Click to expand...

reminds me of this scene from Idiocracy


ht47hv3y6or21.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: tennvols77 and McDad
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top